Canadian Forestry Journal, April, ipi6. 



489 





One corner of the Berthierville, P.Q., Forest Nursery. 



Prussian Forests in War 



War conditions have induced the 

 Prussian forest administration to is- 

 sue alleviating instructions to the 

 managers of State properties. Mora- 

 atoria for rents and wood purchases 

 are permitted under circumstances. 

 Brushwood may be given to the 

 poor at one quarter its usual cost. 



All the oak bark and spruce bark 

 for tanning purposes is contracted to 

 the War Leather Association (in 

 which the government is partner) 

 under easy conditions. 



A serious deficiency exists in 

 rosin, which has been mostly import- 

 ed, and is especially used for manu- 

 facture of lubricants and of writing 

 paper. There are three possibilities 

 of securing rosin, namely by tapping 

 spruce as used to be done long ago, 

 by distilling any coniferous wood, 

 by scraping the rosin exuded on 

 spruce when damaged by game ani- 

 mals. 



Curiously enough, the latter meth- 

 od is supposed to give at least most 

 rapid results ; while the second 



method is being experimented with. 

 Instructions are issued how to 

 scrape the rosin, which is to be 70 

 per cent, pure and is taken over by 

 the "rosin accounting office" at 

 about $2.50 per hundred weio-ht 

 f. o. b. ^ 



In experimental areas about 80 

 pounds per acre at a cost of $1 to 

 $1.25 per 100 pounds could be se- 

 cured. 



In March, 1915, the administration 

 pointed out that in order to assure 

 sufficiency of bread grain and pota- 

 toes for human needs the number of 

 pigs would have to be reduced. To 

 prevent, however, later a meat fam- 

 ine, breeding stock and young stock 

 should be carefully preserved, for 

 which purpose the forest pasture 

 should be opened up, herding the 

 pigs wherever larger communities 

 are mvolved, even to the extent of 

 transporting the herds by train. The 

 pasture is to be free of charge, to be 

 continued till late fall or early 

 winter. 



